A shorter working week but why does it feel longer and harder than normal? I suspect because we try to squeeze in 5 days of work into 4. The last Bank Holiday until Christmas and what a scorcher it was? Totally unheard of in this country, normally it decides to pour with rain. We headed off to Firle Village Fete with some friends of ours and our Bassets. 5 Basset Hounds, all of them different and quite a sight for the Villagers who wanted to either fuss the dogs, have a photo or ask questions about them.

Firle Village is lovely and the Fete was well attended, again, I suspect the weather helped. My friend likened it to The Vicar of Dibley and it was really like that. We didn't have Reg Dwight opening the Fete but I did find out later that the local Vicar has presented a TV series on ITV recently! My other friend kept reciting the line from The Vicar of Dibley Fete episode "no,no,no,no,no,no parking in the car park", much to our amusement! The Vicar was certainly a character to rival Geraldine, standing there in his dog collar and cowboy boots and orchestrating the crowd to break into singing "how much is that doggie in the window" as we walked into the ring for the start of the Fun Dog Show. This day had all the ingredients to make a great day out......sunshine, a dog show, picnics, funny games like welly throwing and catch the rat, sheep racing, terrier racing and best of all home made cakes (although thankfully not lemon curd and marmite!). Mr Furry bought us a slice of lemon drizzle cake and it was what can only be described as epic. It was a huge slice and I struggled to eat it all but I had 5 sets of Basset eyes on me while I ate it praying that I couldn't finish it all! I bought a lovely pot of flowers from the Vicar's Rectory which had an honesty box outside.....so lovely that in this quaint little village they can trust all passers by not to steal either the box of money or the produce. A good old fashioned quintessentially English Village Fete.

Back to work Tuesday and this week has seen most of our regular walkers back with Walter returning from his Summer holidays. I've been checking in on Freddie the Tortoise daily and on Wednesday, I discovered how well camouflaged he could be when I was foraging through the shrubbery in the pouring rain trying to find his favourite hiding place!

Grooming is busier than ever as I try to fit everybody in before my annual holiday and as the schools go back next week, I have no doubt that everyone's attention will turn back to their poochies and thoughts of keeping coats maintained for the upcoming Autumn and Winter will be on their minds.

I for one will be glad to see the schools go back as it will mean we can go back to the beach. It has been strictly off limits for the last 6 weeks although we did go down on Wednesday and as it was raining, funnily enough it was empty! A vast contrast to Tuesday's blazing sun and it was absolute bedlam down there.

The mornings are becoming darker and a bit chillier as that Autumnal feel is upon us. It is also sad to see the nights drawing in and we're lucky if it's still light at 8pm. We are on a downward slide to the clocks going back and what seems like 3 months of darkness. So get out in the sunlight whenever you can now and boost those seratonin levels!

Buddy-love Basset has been for his regular hydrotherapy swim this week. I think he enjoys the jacuzzi after much more than the swimming.............such a spoilt hound!

This weekend the Furry Dog Mobile is in for it's annual MOT so keep all your paws crossed that all is well as we could do without any problems with that. On Sunday we are hoping to join a fellow Professional Dog Walker on a social celebratory walk for her achieving 10 years in business......no mean feat.

Whatever you're up to this weekend, enjoy yourselves and your furries. Until next time..............

Much love

Sally xx

Contact Details

Furry Dogmother
Goring-By-Sea
West Sussex
UK

Tel 07717 661716

furrydogmother@live.co.uk

Sally is fantastic with our dog Doug. he has the best time on his walks, and I know he is safe and well looked after and given plenty of attention. He loves the socialisation with the other dogs and the homemade easter and christmas treats. I never worry when he is out with her and he always comes back well excersised. Such a lovely service for our pooch!!!

Laura-Ellen Topliss

Our dog Honey loves Sally, she's always so excited when she sees her and Sally does an amazing job, Honey comes home smelling so gorgeous, looking so perfectly trimmed and her fur so soft. Couldn't recommend Sally highly enough xxx

Louise Olney

Sally is fantastic, sadly we lost our dog last week however I would highly recommend furry godmother to anyone. Our dog wasn't very good with other dogs, sally made sure he wouldn't cross over with other dogs being groomed and also made sure he wouldn't see her dogs. Thank you for all the washes you gave Henry he use to love going to the poochie parlour and seeing you

Helen Lawrence

Sally is one of the few people I would trust my dog with, both for her fun filled walks and for her amazing grooming skills. I know my dog would be made to feel loved, safe and very comfortable during the whole grooming process. Keep up the great work Sally you are one in a million

Sharon Terry

Thank you so much for grooming Diesel & Fleur they look fabulous as usual - I highly recommend Sally at Furry Dogmother she always gives the dog that special touch, look forward to them coming back to see how they look. Sally is a great all rounder with all breeds ...... Karen Owen Paws 4 Walks

Karen Owen

Sally is reliable fun and the boys love her. She always tries to help out with extra walks with our boys whenever she can. A truly lovely lady, we are so delighted to have her to walk our boys. (Mary and Gill)

Mary and Gill

My dog Charlie loves his grooming experience. Sally collects him in the Furry Dogmother van and drops him back home afterwards. He comes back looking very handsome and smells wonderful. I find Sally very friendly and helpful. Sally also offers other services which I will use in the future.

Louise Tanner

I love it when my 2 Shih tzus go to Sally they look and smell gorgeous. Will always send them there.

Sabine Flack

We have just had our first grooming session for Bunny, our nine month old Mini Schnauzer with Sally. We were absolutely delighted with the results. Bunny looked fantastic. I took her for a walk later the same day, and carried her over a slightly muddy patch so as not to spoil her look!
Very importantly, when we picked Bunny up, she was clearly happy, and not distressed in the slightest. Great work - Bunny will be back!